Monaco GP: Toyota preview

In terms of logistics it can be an awkward place for teams to work. It
is certainly an awkward place for drivers to manoeuvre Formula 1 cars
at 200km/h. But Monaco remains the big draw of the world championship
calendar, 77 years after the first...

In terms of logistics it can be an awkward place for teams to work. It
is certainly an awkward place for drivers to manoeuvre Formula 1 cars
at 200km/h. But Monaco remains the big draw of the world championship
calendar, 77 years after the first grand prix around its twisting
streets.

Some call it an anachronism, others a throwback to motor
sport's glittering heyday. But anyone lucky enough to have sampled the
atmosphere around this cluttered principality on race weekend agrees
that it is special.

At this year's race Panasonic Toyota Racing's new
TF106B car will make its race debut in the hands of Ralf Schumacher and
Jarno Trulli as the team looks to make up ground after the difficult
race in Spain.

Ralf Schumacher (Car 7):

"From a driving point of view it's great to drive at Monaco and a
challenge to be quicker than everyone else round the narrow streets. The
barriers are closer than anywhere so you need to adapt your approach
slightly. But that is something we have all got used to down the years."

"The first challenge is to secure a good place on the grid and then to
try and finish the race without mishap. Still, I have always been quick
there and I've taken pole position and a podium in the past. Last year I
made the points and we will hope for more this weekend."

"Tyre choice is
always tricky because the track changes so much during the weekend. But
if you have a driveable car here it's fun so I'll be looking forward to
trying out our new TF106B."

Jarno Trulli (Car 8):

"Monaco is one of my favourite tracks and it's a great event with a
fantastic atmosphere. It's also a circuit where things have always gone
well for me, above all when I won the race from pole position in 2004."

"Qualifying is critical for the race because of the notorious difficulty
in overtaking and Saturday should be extremely eventful. This year's
qualifying rules mean that we can expect a lot of traffic during the
sessions. They are likely to be chaotic, with cars getting in each
other's way and the fight for grid positions could turn into something
of a lottery."

"It's hard enough putting a lap together around the streets
when they are clear, but it is all but impossible to pass even a much
slower car. Nonetheless I am looking forward to returning to action on
this classic circuit and hoping for a good result."

Pascal Vasselon - Senior General Manager Chassis:

"At Monaco you are so close to the track that you can feel how fast
an F1 car really is. So it is a special place and it will be even
more special this year because we will run our TF106B for the first
time."

"The car is a long-planned mechanical evolution of the TF106 that
we have raced so far this year, featuring a development of the new
front suspension concept introduced on the TF105B at the end of the
2005 season. Our policy is constant evolution and the TF106B gives us
an excellent mechanical base for continued aerodynamic development
during the season."

"At Monaco we always run a different aerodynamic
configuration anyway to achieve maximum downforce around the twisty
streets, but it's a place that tyres and driver are more important
than anywhere else. We have made good progress in partnership with
Bridgestone and we have two drivers who always perform well at Monaco so
we are looking forward to it."